Josh Elliot - Tough Season Ahead At Ealing

"By far the hardest thing I have ever done," said Josh Elliot when he spoke to Talking Rugby Union about his pre-season training at Ealing Rugby Club.

Josh graduated from Bath University this year and then signed for the London-based Championship side over the summer.

Ealing enjoyed a hugely successful 2012/13 season, winning National 1 South in emphatic style, with the best defensive record in the league and both the league’s top try and points scorer.

“It was a great feeling to be able to join such a successful club like Ealing; they’re a great group of lads and I can’t wait to get stuck into the season and the club’s campaign in the Championship”, added Josh.

“We have just one week of pre-season left before a really tough first game next weekend against London Scottish”.

However, the coming season may prove to be a difficult one for the Bath graduate. In addition to the obvious difficulties of competing both physically and mentally in the adult game, Josh is one of three hookers at the club, in an enormous first team squad of over forty players.

“Obviously I’m expecting a difficult season ahead: the step-up from University rugby is enormous. Although, I believe the massive competition for places at the club can only be a good thing. I know it is certainty going to keep me on my toes; standing the club in good stead for the coming season.

“My main aim now is to try and put on as much lean muscle mass as I can over the next few weeks, so I’m in the best, strongest shape possible to compete with size of some of the guys in the Championship.

“I’m in the best shape of my life after pre-season with Ealing; it was a class above anything I had ever done before”.

Josh described how the summer’s training consisted of a gruelling combination of “intense fitness session, skills sessions, strongman sessions, early morning weekend gym training and weight training at least four times a week.

“My strength and especially my fitness is much better than it ever has been before; stripping down a bit of unnecessary weight.

“I played in two of the club’s pre-season friendlies, the most recent game being Henley, who we comfortably beat 42-0. The game is much quicker at this level, but I felt great when I was playing”.

Ealing boast an impressive pre-season record, as they were undefeated in all five of their games, with wins over Loughborough Students, Hartpury, Henley, Carmarthen Quins and most recently, last weekend, Old Albanians.

“I just want to keep learning as much as I can from some of the senior guys, so I can try and cement a spot in the team and prove that I can compete at a top level. The skill level, speed of the game and physical elements are all on the next level from what I have ever experienced before.

“However, the club has a great S and E coach, and he has worked hard conditioning us to play a fast-paced style of rugby.

“As a club we just want to continue the momentum the club has created over pre-season with five great performances and hopefully carry that into the start of the season.

The former Bath University hooker is no stranger to playing rugby at a high level, though; having represented England at under 16s and 18s level and, most recently, in 2013, England Students.

Josh travelled with the Students team to their annual first fixture away in Portugal; where the men in white won for the first time over the IRB ranked Portugal side.

“It was an awesome experience to play with England Students. Of course it’s always a great honour to represent England in any form, but to be a part of the first side to ever beat Portugal was an incredible feeling.

“Both the boys and the coaches pulled together to create a great atmosphere; we were like a team that had known each other for years. There was a new coaching staff for this season’s campaign, who did a great job covering more skills than ever before; including Aaron James who I know well from my days at Bath”.

Josh will be hoping to continue last season’s success in his new role at Ealing.

“I already love Ealing as a club and I’m looking forward to competing for a Championship jersey in what will hopefully be a successful season for us”.

Ealing begin their campaign in the Greene King IPA Championship on the 14th of September at home to London Scottish.